Sunday, March 12, 2017

New Orleans is having a bit of a crime problem sooooooooooo what does the Mayor and City Council decide to do? Cut the District Attorney's budget and focus on parking violations. Columnist James Gill slammed the city government on the pages of the Morning Advocate:

With 50 shootings, and 15 murders in the first 23 days of the year, the city is on pace to record a level of carnage not seen in many years.

Meanwhile, the City Council cuts the DA's budget by $600,000 and Mayor Mitch Landrieu comes up with a crime-fighting plan that includes more money for parking enforcement. Government was practically begging to be mocked, and Cannizzaro obliged.

While he was speaking, a trial was being held close by at federal court that featured lurid testimony about a string of murders committed in gang wars a couple of years ago. Hit-men have related matter-of-factly how they sought out their rivals and left them in a pool of blood.

If, even with that band of thugs off the street, the bodies are piling up at an even greater rate, it is no wonder that Cannizzaro received an ovation when he raised the alarm.

It may be hardly surprising that Cannizzaro regards his office as the most efficient component of the criminal justice system. But the City Council evidently shares his view because the reason it gave for cutting his budget, and forcing him to lay off staff, is that he prosecutes and convicts at a much greater rate than his predecessors.

It is perhaps futile to hope that the council will restore Cannizzaro's money, since that would mean acknowledging a stupid mistake, and that goes against the politician's grain.

Landrieu and the council are on a mission to expand the police department, which might seem a logical response to the crime stats. But a city that seeks more arrests and fewer prosecutions at the same time clearly isn't thinking straight.

Not that it makes much difference how many criminals are rounded up if there is nowhere to put them. A recent crime commission study found that the New Orleans slammer is overflowing with dangerous characters, even though a third of its population has been transferred to distant parishes with spare capacity. If there was a time when New Orleans liked to lock up harmless dopers, it has long passed. Nowadays, almost all the inmates face felony charges, most of them involving weapons or violence.

As NOPD grows, and its starts turning up at crime scenes before the perps have taken a powder, they will need a permanent “No Vacancies” sign at the jailhouse. Or, as Cannizzaro put it in his speech, “the revolving door of the criminal justice system will be put on overdrive and dangerous defendants will be placed back on the streets.”

More beds is the obvious answer, at least according to Cannizzaro, the crime commission and Gary Maynard, who monitors the jail's compliance with the federal consent decree under which it operates. Landrieu, however, believes public safety can be maintained with the jail we have.

To judge from the reaction to Cannizzaro's speech, the public grows impatient for action. Perhaps, one of these days, citizens will surround City Hall in protest. Even then, we probably won't see water cannon on the streets. Rest of column.

12 comments:

My wife and I attended a wedding and the rehearsal dinner this weekend in New Orleans. I told her that things looked worse than ever in the Quarter. I don't think New Orleans is trying to do anything about crime. You just don't feel safe walking anywhere in the Quarter, including the main streets.

I disagree 6:37. We're down about once a month to stay in our FQ apartment. Much law enforcement presence from NOPD and the state troopers. Not that you don't have to be aware and use good judgement, I have never felt unsafe or uncomfortable. You see and experience things you probably don't ordinarily see, but that's part of it.

Wait! I thought crime was reduced when all " those " people either died or left after Katrina. Only " the right sort" could afford to come back and rebuild! Is the mafia trying to defend their drug, gambling and prostitution businesses from " the others" and we now have real cartels coming in?

WHOA! What am I thinking? We need to use NOLA to make ourselves feel superior and to support our blame games or else we'd have to take responsibility for problem solving.

Why don't we stick to trying to solve Mississippi's considerable problems rather than stick our nose into NOLA's business?

We can't do a damn thing about what's happening in NOLA or elsewhere but we could all do something to clean up our own crap!

This is sheer comedy. People want to talk about the crime in New Orleans, but yet the Yuppies of Madison and Rankin County's head their behinds down there damn near every other weekend and boost up their local economy. SMH

But yet don't want to take care of business in our own backyards?

New Orleans may have its problems - but at least its natives believe in supporting their own.

8:54, please share the entertainment options here in Jackson which rival those in NOLA. Aquarium? Nope. Zoo? Well, not really. At least NOLA's zoo host visitors in a relatively safe part of the city, while Jackson's does the opposite. Music, plays and dining options? No contest. Pro sports?

"please share the entertainment options here in Jackson which rival those in NOLA. Aquarium? Nope. Zoo? Well, not really. At least NOLA's zoo host visitors in a relatively safe part of the city, while Jackson's does the opposite. Music, plays and dining options? No contest. Pro sports?"

Your logic is, "well since I am not stocking my own refrigerator with groceries - you'll take your family over to the Johnson's to go eat, since they have better groceries."

Once again, Jackson can have all that, probably except for a pro sports team. But we can handle the rest! We have to start from somewhere. Memphis made the necessary changes to their city, with help from the state. Birmingham made the necessary changes with some help from the state. Not saying Jackson should be a hefty welfare case for the state of Mississippi - but it should be priority one. Its our largest attraction and it gets treated like a red headed step child by Mississippi residents from across the state. Much of that is due to poor race relations and class warfare.

Many that have been elected to state wide office in Mississippi, simply used it to fatten their personal coffers at the detriment of this states progress. Regardless of party. Prime example of this, Phil Bryant, he will walk away from the Governors office with about $6 million in his war chest, while Mississippi remains low in quality of life rankings. High murder rate, poor quality of life, high unemployment, public education going down the drain, and $6 billion dollars on the states credit card due to unwarranted tax cuts. With a big ol' confederate themed state flag, that says to the rest of the nation - Mississippi still believes in Jim Crow and Segregation.

I will stand my ground. Mississippi is terrible with branding. The residents are stubborn for change and do not know how to put the proper people in place to make changes via their elected officials.

Mississippi needs some leaders that want to change the brand of this state and start competing against its southern neighbors, instead of being the stepping stone for the region.

Who is the Hottest Reporter in Jackson?

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything). Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up. In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!